India can boast of very few multiple World Champions in any sport. Pankaj Advani at 24 has already clinched 7! iSport caught the champion in a very reflective mood. He shares with us his successes of 2009 and plans for 2010. Join us in wishing him 'All the Best'!
iSport: So how would you rate your performance in 2009? While you won your first Pro-title in Leeds, you also lost at the Asian Indoors. A mixed bag?
Pankaj: You win some, you lose some. The pro title was the biggest event of the year so losing anything else didn't matter too much. I'm happy that I at least came back with a Bronze medal in the Billiards event of the Asian Indoor Games.
iSport: Of all your innumerable victories on the world and national level – which one would you rate as your most favourite of 2009?
Pankaj: It's hard for me to choose between the World Professional Billards title and the Hat-trick of Double (Billiards & Snooker) National Titles. Both are equally special to me since history was created on both of these significant occasions.
iSport: How did you celebrate your New Year?
Pankaj: I went to Goa post-Xmas and got back in time for New Year’s Eve to spend quality time with family by watching a movie and going out for dinner.
iSport: Playing plans of 2010?
Pankaj: It's going to be a hectic year since I'm going to be playing all international tournaments - Asian and World Championships of both disciplines (Billiards & Snooker) along with the Asian Games.
iSport: Will you be defending your title in Leeds?
Pankaj: The venue is not certain but the intention is surely to defend my World Professional title. Would love to go out there and play the same way!
iSport: There were talks about a movie being made on you – with you starring as Pankaj Advani in it. How true are these talks? How close are you to shooting a film on yourself?
Pankaj: Schedules are really packed and there won't be much time for anything else this year. However, the movie was an idea that is yet to gain some form, shape and timelines.
iSport: 2009 – your top performances
Pankaj:
1. World Pro Billiards
The finals against Russell, the semis against Dhruv Sitwala (in pro championship). I had to fight tooth and nail to win both matches
2. National Double Hat-trick
3. Asian Billiards Title
iSport: 2009 – your toughest opponent
Pankaj: Dhruv Sitwala
iSport: 2010 – expectations from yourself
Pankaj: None :)
iSport: 2010 – changes that you’d like to see in cue sports in India –
Pankaj: 1. A change in our dress code! (something more informal)
2. more visibility and promotion for the sport!
3. more promotional activity
iSport: 2010 – your most awaited tournament
Pankaj: Always the next one - PSPB tournament (I take one tourney at a time)
iSport wishes Pankaj Advani ‘all the very best’ in his 2010 campaign.
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